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Commission confirms case of rabid deer

Commission confirms case of rabid deer

By North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Wildlife Resources Commission has recently confirmed a rare case of rabies in a deceased deer in Cherokee County.

The Commission received multiple reports of dead deer around water sources and dying deer having trouble standing up, no fear of humans and lack of coordination. Rabies, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and chronic wasting disease (CWD) can exhibit similar symptoms in affected deer.

Commission biologists collected tissues from several of the animals and sent to a laboratory for testing by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia.

Of the two deer tested for rabies, only one with alopecia (hair loss) on its head, tested positive for rabies. A lack of hair on the head seems to be common in rabies-infected deer and was the red flag that resulted in testing the animals for rabies.

Rabies can affect all mammals, causing inflammation in the brain with symptoms that can include lethargy, loss of balance, unexplained aggressiveness and eye or nose discharge.

EHD symptoms can include depression; fever, swelling in the head, neck, tongue or eyelids; difficulty breathing; loss of appetite and no fear of humans. As symptoms worsen, fever sets in and the deer seek out water, which is why infected deer are usually found dead around water sources.

CWD affects deer, elk and moose causing a characteristic spongy degeneration of the brain of infected animals resulting in emaciation, abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and ultimately death.

“We rarely test deer for rabies because we generally don’t have any reason to suspect they are infected; in this case the hairless head lead us to believe rabies could be the reason for the animal’s symptoms,” according to Wildlife Commission veterinarian Dr. Maria Palamar. “However, it is important to know that all mammals, including pets and humans, can contract rabies and taking the proper precautions is essential.”

The Commission asks residents or hunters who encounter a deer exhibiting disease symptoms or find a deceased deer with alopecia on its head, to call the Commission’s Wildlife Helpline at (866)318-2401. The call center is open weekdays, excluding holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends, call (800)662-7137.

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